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Looking back at Week 1

Munday should be ranked No. 1 in Class A when the AP puts out its latest poll today.

And deservingly so. The Moguls have looked sharp in mauling Windthorst and edging aStamfordteam that’s a Division I title contender.Albanyis always stout, but I think Holliday will provide the toughest challenge the rest of the regular season.

When was the last time we had an area 11-man team ranked No.1? I’m not positive, but I believe it was Windthorst in 2006 when Brad Green was a senior. The Trojans led wire-to-wire only to fall to Chilton in the state title game.

The year Munday won state in 2007, I don’t believe it was ranked until at the end of the season. The Moguls had missed out on the playoffs the year before and flew under the radar a while.

The Trojans were highly ranked on a couple other occasions since then, but I don’t think they got to the top spot. And we haven’t had a No. 1 2A-4A team under my watch, although Holliday was close once or twice and Rider opened at No. 2 during Shavodrick Beaver’s senior year.

Now onto last week’s games:

* Hirschi really could have used that win the other night. The Huskies play Holliday – who they haven’t beaten the last four meetings (although a couple games were close) and then face a stout Decatur side.

There were still some positives to take out of the defeat. I’m not sure if Mineral Wells is strong up front (Graham ripped them on the ground the week before too) but anytime Hirschi rushes for more than 300 yards, that’s impressive. Sophomore Derrick Colbert looks like the real deal, at least for one night.

* Mineral Wells coach Chuck Lawrance did something curious after the Rams drove 63 yards (with the aid of Hirschi pass interference and personal foul penalties) for the game-winning TD. With 55 seconds left and up four, the Rams kicked the PAT. Why?

Winning by four or five points doesn’t matter because either way since Hirschi must score a touchdown. But if you go for two and get it, then it’s a six-point lead. Which does matter because the Huskies weren’t making many PAT conversions. Ultimately it didn’t matter, but strange call nonetheless.

* Last week’s stat I couldn’t find out – when was the last time Windthorst lost by more than 60 points. This week’s stats I’m having a hard time tracking down – when was the last time Hirschi ran for more than 300 yards.

* According from someone knowledgeable in Graham, the Steers won inBrownwoodfor the first time in 36 years. They’ll need all the momentum they have as the Steers go to Abilene Wylie this week. This is usually a great matchup, and if Graham can somehow knock off the ranked Bulldogs, then they’ll receive a lot of attention across the state.

* Even though I picked against Rider, I’m not surprised the Raiders emerged with a win on the road against 5A Denton Ryan. Abilene Cooper had a nice victory on Friday too, which makes Rider look even better. With all the turmoil in the 4A state poll, Rider could be back in this week.

While the 2-0 start is really nice for the Coyotes, we don’t really know how good Granbury is. And we know Burkburnett is down. A couple more victories and WFHS could make me a believer that they’ll make the playoffs.

* It’s probably about as hard as ever to crack the TRN Top 10 these days. The top three teams – Munday, Throckmorton and Tipton – are ranked No. 1 in polls. Teams like Nocona, Bowie, Vernon and Quanah a lot of years would be in after 2-0 starts. Just not this year.

* Even though they’ve been outscored 82-0 in the first half, I think Windthorst will still make the playoffs. Archer City and Olney are the other possibilities, and they’ve scored only one TD each so far this year. Seymour and Quanah are quickly separating from the pack.

* Looked like IowaPark’s defense hung in there against Gainesville based on stats. Hard to gauge Hawks right now with a 27-point win and a 26-point loss.

* I’m looking forward to Electra-Seymour this week. Those teams in three games haven’t allowed a point yet.

* The Thursday backpage story will feature Munday’s L.J. Collier and him upholding the family name. Should end up being pretty good.